Reflection and Small Group Discussion Summary

The first small group discussion

                        In this small group discussion we talked about the topic of popular culture within Japanese culture. I discussed what my personal experiences were with Japanese popular. I brought up that I was influenced by Pokémon and dragon ball z when I was growing up. I would come home and watch both of these shows for hours. As we continued in our discussion we listened to our Swedish students discuss their experiences with Japanese popular culture. They felt that sailor moon and Pokémon also were popular in Sweden. We also discussed that Nintendo and Mario has completely taken over the video game industry. Through this discussion we felt that Japanese popular culture has influenced everyone within the group.

The second small group discussion

                        In this discussion we covered the cool Japan. We first tried to break down the words. We concluded that cool Japan was a marketing ploy. One designed to encourage tourism for Japan. We then discussed the dress that has taken over the popular culture within Japan. The group as a whole considered the fashion very controversial. The Americans within the group felt that it was very weird to their own culture. The Swedish students also took the same view on the fashion within the Japanese culture.

Reflection for discussion

            Looking back at the discussion I can say that it was very informative and a great experience. Overall we covered popular culture as a whole in the Japanese Culture. The first topic we covered was the different types of Japanese Culture that have been apart of our lives in the United States. We as a group could point to two things Nintendo and Pokémon. These two things played a significant roll in our lives as a whole growing up in the United States. The second thing we discussed is the fashion that exists within Japan. The fashion was an eye opening expiereince that has changed my view as a whole of the world. Overall I am very glad that I have taken part in this discussion. It is great to talk to people that have a complete opposite view point from you, it opens your eyes to different possibilities.

Reaction with Detailed Description

The first small group discussion

                        In this small group discussion we talked about the topic of popular culture within Japanese culture. I discussed what my personal experiences were with Japanese popular. I brought up that I was influenced by Pokémon and dragon ball z when I was growing up. I would come home and watch both of these shows for hours. As we continued in our discussion we listened to our Swedish students discuss their experiences with Japanese popular culture. They felt that sailor moon and Pokémon also were popular in Sweden. We also discussed that Nintendo and Mario has completely taken over the video game industry. Through this discussion we felt that Japanese popular culture has influenced everyone within the group.

The second small group discussion

                        In this discussion we covered the cool Japan. We first tried to break down the words. We concluded that cool Japan was a marketing ploy. One designed to encourage tourism for Japan. We then discussed the dress that has taken over the popular culture within Japan. The group as a whole considered the fashion very controversial. The Americans within the group felt that it was very weird to their own culture. The Swedish students also took the same view on the fashion within the Japanese culture.

Reflection for discussion

            Looking back at the discussion I can say that it was very informative and a great experience. Overall we covered popular culture as a whole in the Japanese Culture. The first topic we covered was the different types of Japanese Culture that have been apart of our lives in the United States. We as a group could point to two things Nintendo and Pokémon. These two things played a significant roll in our lives as a whole growing up in the United States. The second thing we discussed is the fashion that exists within Japan. The fashion was an eye opening experience that has changed my view as a whole of the world. Overall I am very glad that I have taken part in this discussion. It is great to talk to people that have a complete opposite viewpoint from you, it opens your eyes to different possibilities.

Show and Tell

                For this show and tell I have chosen a topic in which I have stumbled upon while viewing documentaries online. While online I have found a documentary on a very interesting topic involving the Aokigahara Forest. The Aokigahara Forest is the most popular place within Japan to commit suicide. When entering the forest there are abandoned cars scattered across the parking lot, where individuals have driven to the forest then left their cars to commit suicide. The parking lot is strewn with these reminders of how big the issue truly is within the culture. As explained in the film suicide in the older days was connected with the samurai. The modern form is new because it is connected to the individual not being able to adapt to society. As one walks into the forest you can see many signs with messages telling individuals that suicide is not the answer. The locals do not commit suicide within the forest. The locals are told to not come to the forest because of this issue.  They are told as children that it is a scary place to avoid. Overall the numbers have been staggering amounting to 100 suicides in the last 20 years. I believe the most fascinating part about the issue is the people who enter the forest who are indecisive about dying. They wrap tape around the trees as they move into the forest to find there way out if they decide to not commit suicide. Overall the issue is very disturbing. It has continued to grow within the eyes of individuals as the numbers climb.

How has suicide affected Japanese culture?

Becoming a Geisha Reaction

As the film began I had no previous knowledge about Geisha’s or the Geisha lifestyle. After the film I have a new respect for the art form as well as the lifestyle. The young girl within the film comes to the life of a Geisha as a personal decision, one that requires many a sacrifice to become a full Geisha. The sacrifice starts at a young age. She leaves her home in the rural areas of Japan for Kyoto; the absolute opposite from what she is accustom to. She has to take orders from her Geisha mother and the other Geisha’s. The young trainee cannot contact her family or friends for months on her journey into becoming a Geisha. This wares on her as she becomes home sick for her family and friends. For a young girl this must be an overwhelming experience. I know myself at the age of 15 and I could only imagine the mental ware that this must take on her. Even though this is hard on the girls it is done for a reason. It is done because the life of a Geisha is extremely demanding. The trainees must be weeded out, to show your dedication to the art. Another reason for this is the cost of training a potential Geisha. The video said that the training can cost around 2000 pounds a month. This is a large investment and because of this the Geisha’s need to know that the trainee is dedicated. When a trainee is far along in her training she is given a name, the name chosen is Kikuyu, This is her Maiko name and will be used when she is a Geisha performing. Within her specific Geisha house all of the girls are named after flowers. During her transformation you can see that the Geisha lifestyle can drive wedges in your personal life as well as your social life, once a trainee everything has to revolve around being a Geisha. Everything within your life falls to the wayside. Overall the Geisha Lifestyle is a very interesting one. It holds onto the traditional Japanese lifestyle in an everchanging modern Japan. This video has given me a new appreciation for the life and art style that is Geisha.

Reaction to Departures.

         Coming into the movie Departures I had no idea what to expect. Not knowing what to expect I came in with an open perspective ready to take in the film. As the film begins you see that the main character Daigo Kobayashi runs into a huge conflict concerning his employment. The cellist’s orchestra disbands meaning that he will have to return to his hometown. After returning he takes a job in the newspaper that reads “assisting departures.” Daigo finds out that he will be preparing the dead helping them pass on from this world. The movie to me showed the respect that is involved within Japanese culture concerning this burial process. Every little detail is taken care of preparing them for the afterlife, also the variety of religions that are taken care of under the title obtained by Daigo. A specific scene really struck me within this movie. The scene occurs when the octopus that the couple are having for dinner comes alive in the kitchen, flopping about. They grab the octopus and go to the water. Once arriving they throw the octopus into the water, where it just floats there lifeless. While watching this scene I chuckled, but as the octopus floated there you could feel a sense of sadness. Now looking back on the film I can see that in a way this scene foreshadowed what was to come during the rest of the film. Overall, the film was thoroughly enjoyable. It played with a very fascinating topic within society, death, with grace and beauty. Showing that life, as we know it is precious and should not be taken for granted.

What are your thoughts of how the topic of death was covered in this film?

What emotions did the film evoke for you a viewer?

Reaction Paper #2

            When writing this reaction paper I decided to focus on a specific topic because of the variety of information that we were given to reflect and react upon. I decided to focus on community and the neighborhood that we covered in class. The first part that I want to discuss is the rural communities of Japan. These communities are very tight knit. They are still very connected to the history of Japan. Which to me was very interesting the strong hold on the old ways. Especially when looking at the ie system which is still strong in the rural areas of Japan. The villages have required meetings in which are comprised by the heads of the households. I make the connection in the United States to a sort of homeowners association in ones local neighborhood. There is also a similarity in which everyone must pay monthly dues. These meetings concern local events and contain discussions. This lends itself when events such as natural disasters occur. We could see this in the video we watched. The community needed to ban together and help each other out, because sometimes the government can’t help you. This struck me being that I am from New Orleans and observed the same behavior. It really is an amazing thing seeing a community come together through tragedy.

            The urban environment is the next thing that I want to discuss. The urban environment represents the modern Japan. Within the urban communities you interact with more people, but the interactions are not forced. For instance people with the urban areas have the liberty to avoid participation with local action groups. Also, the ie system does not play as much of role within the urban areas, so there is much more participation in groups by wives and children. The idea of building a civil society is prized, which is an emphasis on volunteerism. Festivals play a large roll in strengthening the local community as a whole.

The concept of the Japanese neighborhood and community was oddly familiar to me in certain ways as we covered the topic. There are many similarities that we as Americans can relate to. The importance of family and the broader community as a whole was something that I was raised to appreciate. So when I look at the Japanese culture I can understand how they approach the topic in their everyday lives. Overall the most interesting thing that I noticed while covering this material was how close the communities truly are with Japan, that when the government can’t help, they ban together and solve the issues themselves.

How are American communities similar or different to Japanese communities?

Can we learn something from how close the communities are?

Reaction to Video

The video Kyo-o mamoru was a fascinating look into the after effects of the tsunami on Japan. Through the dvd there were many interviews with survivors trying to rebuild their lives after this crushing natural disaster. The video showed a place in the middle of recovering from one of the largest natural disasters the world has ever seen. The images were haunting as the camera panned around the locations. There was nothing in some areas for as long as the eye could see. As well as some areas had mounds and mounds of debris covering everything. A specific example would be the brewery close to her house. The entire area was a mass of cars. A specific thing that struck me was the amount the community pulled together to help one another. People volunteered and help one another out with food preparation and search parties. As we discussed in class the Japanese culture is very cohesive. These neighborhoods could really be seen during this disaster. The government could not be there so people banded together to rebuild. Being from New Orleans this reminded me of what happened after Katrina. After the disaster we were helped by the government, but when things drop out of the media limelight you need each other to rebuild and heal.

How do you believe the role of the neighborhood played a role in the film?

How do you believe the government should help moving into the future?

Show and Tell - Yakuza

For this weeks show and tell paper I have chosen the Yakuza. The Yakuza are an organized crime syndicate in Japan. They have been in existence within Japan since the mid- Edo period around 1603. They first were involved with stolen goods and gambling. They originally were considered peddlers and thieves with lower social status. They started to gain social class as they were recognized by the government and took up posistions as merchants. This is the origin of the Yakuza, but they have grown and evolved into a much different organization. The Yakuza are organized in a very traditional Japanese hierarchal oyabun-kuban system. This system is broken down into two parts. Kuban means foster child and Oyuban means foster parent. Yakuza are notorious for taking in children whose parents have gotten rid of them. Going into the Yakuza usually starts in high school and are kids who are thought to be common street thugs. The Yakuza system is very strict and is broken down into 8 specific units that make up a Yakuza syndicate. The first posistion is the Oyabun which is the most important. The Oyabun is the family boss or the syndicate leader. The next two positions are the Wakagashira and Shateigashira which are the first and second lieutenant respectively. The next is the Saiko-Komon or the administrations within this title are the Shiingin and Kaikei. The Shiingin are the Law advisors and the Kaikei are the accountants. Finally you have the muscle and workers the Kyodai and Shatei. The Kyodai are the big brothers and the Shatei are the little brothers. This structure is very strict and within the Yakuza order has to be maintained. This structured has served them perfectly for hundreds of years and has not been altered since the start. Today there are approximately 103,000 active Yakuza within Japan. There are three main groups, which are broken down into multiple clans. The first is the Yamaguchi-gumi, which is the largest in Japan. Having approximately 50% of all Yakuza in Japan. The second syndicate is Sumiyoshi-Kai, which is the second largest having 20,000 members and finally the Inagawa-Kai the smallest having approximately 15,000 members. These syndicates are involved in crimes from stolen goods to murder. They are also focused heavily on drug trafficking, which has been a staple in the Yakuza life style, trafficking herion and opium. There is recent international activity in trafficking especially into China. The Yakuza are also going into legitamate business ventures. The most recent being a 225 million dollar buy, in stock of the Tokyo Kyuko Electric Railway. This is a way to help better there standing within the culture and society. As well as a very profitable move financially.

Did you have a previous knowledge or view of the Yakuza?

How can we see the Yakuza structure and the Traditional Japanese Family structure intersect?

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza#Divisions_of_origin

Sumo Wrestling

Sumo in the Japanese culture is extremely important. Sumo is one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. It is rooted in the religion of Shinto. The matches of Sumo where first dedicated to the gods as a gesture of good will. So that everyone would have a good harvest. This tradition of sumo goes back as far as the 8th century as seen in writings. The life of a Sumo is very specific especially when looking at their living quarters. Sumos are traditionally required to live in "communal stables" where every aspect of their life is controlled through tradition. From there meals to the time they train are controlled and monitored. I have attached a video where you can see these stables. They are truly interesting setups. There are two ways to win a Sumo bout. The first way is to force your opponent to step out of the ring. The second way is to force your opponent to touch the ground with any part of their body except the bottom of their feet. These can also be witnessed in my attached video. As you will see sumo is a sport steeped in tradition and force.

Do you believe Sumo could be a viable sport in the United States?

What are your thoughts on the level of tradition in Sumo?

Video

http://youtu.be/vJ1wnbNIUrc

Reaction to Video Meeting

The video conference that we did with our fellow students in Sweden was very interesting. It allowed us to connect with a completely different culture. Allowing for me personally to get a perspective of how other cultures are set up. Overall it was a great time and cannot wait till the next time. Several things that I learned during the meeting involve the Swedish Culture and how the family system is structured and functions. Talking to Andreas I learned that the Swedish Culture is more in an untraditional structure today then in the past. Due to the same issues that we have in America. The main thing that I learned is that cultures around the world are not so different and that we should keep an open perspective.

Reaction Paper #1

The first day that I stepped into AS150 was a mind opening experience. I had no idea what to expect not knowing anything specific about Japanese Culture. But, as class continued I started to learn the outlines of an extremely interesting culture based on respect and technology. One that was still connected with its past while moving into the future growing into one of the economic power houses in the world.

The topic that I wanted to discuss in this reaction paper is the Ikuji, which are the childrearing practices in Japan. This topic struck me because of the juxtaposition that it has with American childrearing practices. The Japanese believe that childrearing occurs from imitation instead of telling a child to do something. Also, that the parents authority is not as important. The biggest angle in this discussion that struck me was the ability to compromise with children instead of making a child do something. I personally believe that this is a great way of doing something. It teaches the child that compromise is a huge tool within the world. Another angle was the use of empathy. Telling children that everything has a spirit teaches the children to treat everything with respect. This to me shows children they need to have an overall respectful view of the world. Giving their society as a whole a better view on the world.

Questions 

How do you believe Ikuji plays a role in Japanese?

How could Ikuji be used in America?

Show and Tell #2 The shift from nuclear power.

        The Fukushima nuclear crisis is at the forefront of not only the Japanese people, but also the world. This disaster was considered one of the greatest nuclear disasters to occur since Chernobyl. Which devastated a large region of the Ukraine. Being only a year and a half ago the Japanese have been thinking about alternative forms of energy to replace nuclear power. The Japanese Government has vowed to eliminate the use of nuclear power by 2030. The Japanese want to move towards more renewable energy, which they feel will eliminate the danger that comes with the use of nuclear energy. This brings a big opportunity to the country of Japan. This shift could bring a large industry to Japan. An industry based on renewable energy giving Japan safe energy and a large economic boost. This economic boost would also help local companies that have been creating solar panels for an extended period of time. There are groups and individuals that believe that this goal is a bit lofty. Keigo Akimoto is a professor from Tokyo University, "I think we should increase the use of renewable energy, but it is just too risky to place too much hope on it." The Professor believes that renewable energy is a great alternative, but this one disaster should not remove all forms of nuclear energy. Within Japanese culture there is a definite lack of confidence in because of the disaster in Fukushima. This lack of confidence will help drive Japan towards a more forms of renewable energy in the future. The final issue that this article pushed to the forefront was the bills that would come from transferring over to another form of energy. The bill of a Japanese Household will double if switched from nuclear power. These are just a few things that need to be looked at when looking at the effects of the Fukushima disaster, not just the fall out.

How do you feel the Japanese People should have reacted to the Fukushima disaster?

How do you feel the people of Japan should move forward?

 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120916a5.html

An Introduction of Me

Hello my name is Stephen Antoine Barrosse. I am currently a student at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. My personal hobbies are listening to music and running. I am personally interested in the history associated with Japanese Culture. More specifically shoguns and the samurai. Also, I have a deep admiration for the culture because of how based it is in tradition. I hope to learn a new perspective through the participation within this class as well as this blog project.

The Osprey and Okinawa

For my first show and tell project of the year I have chosen the protests that have been occurring in Ginowan, Okinawa. 100,000 plus people gathered together to fight what they believe is a hazard to the men and women of the Okinawa military base. The protests have to do with an military piece of aircraft that has been used widely by the United States and around the world, the Osprey. The Osprey is a multi mission tilt rotor aircraft, meaning that the propellers on the aircraft can tilt in two ways. This allows the Osprey to have both the capabilites of a helicopter as well as a plane. Giving the speed of a fixed wing aircraft with the ability of a helicopter to land in tight areas. This airplane is extremely controversial because of the tilt rotor technology which makes it extremely unstable, because both rotors on the aircraft are driven by one driveshaft, meaning if one engine fails, both fail. This results in immediate lose of control and almost certain death due to no ejection seats. Due to these stability problems there have been many deaths contributed to the aircraft. Making it one of the most controversial American aviation projects to have ever been undertaken in recent history. The danger factor attributed to this aircraft has angered hundreds of thousands in Okinawa to stand against the deployment of this plane to local bases. The local participants adopted a resolution to ban the deployment of the Osprey stating its safety as a major concern. The Ginowan Mayor Atsushi Sakima said, "As head of the city, I cannot allow the deployment of an aircraft whose safety has not been assured, I strongly resent the deployment plan."(Yomiuri) The protesters were also joined by the ruling party as well as leaders from all municipalites of Okinawa. It truely is a polarizing issue within the region with strong formidable support group. The movement is even evolving, "The organizers of the rally are slated to visit Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday to deliver the resolution to Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba. They are also considering visiting the United States in October to lodge Okinawa's protest directly to the U.S. government." (Yomiuri) This was extremely interesting to me that this local issue evolved to become a world wide issue. That it immediately took root so strongly in Okinawa that they felt compelled to take it to the source the United States. No matter the United States Government moved ahead and shipped the Ospreys to the bases. They hope to soon begin using 12 within the area. Even as the United States moves ahead with the plan there have been, "concerns over the aircraft's safety have escalated after an Osprey made a precautionary landing in North Carolina on Thursday. The incident followed an Osprey crash in Morocco in April and another in Florida in June." (Yomiuri) These recent events have supported the Japanese in their crusade for the safety of the men and women that have to fly these dangerous aircraft within Okinawa.

How do you believe this topic plays into the culture of Japan?
Who is to blame for this problem Japan or the United States?

Sources

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120910003993.htm

http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/v22/